The Government of Canada is planning to resettle 25,000 Syrian Government Assisted Refugees (GARs) before December 31, 2015. It is expected that close to 3,000 GARs may arrive in British Columbia and 30% will settle in Surrey.

Public support will be urgently required to resettle a large influx of Syrian refugees in the province.

Number one challenge is locating permanent rental housing on the basis of provincial social assistance shelter rates.

Additionally, volunteers will also be required to help welcome and support Syrian refugees

Lastly, as many Syrian refugees will arrive with exceptional skills and education, employment leads will help expedite their labour market integration.

ISSofBC is the agency responsible for Refugee Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) in British Columbia. It has developed a number of resources and forms to mobilize public support in the process of refugee resettlement in the province: